PRESSURE VESSELS AND END CLOSURES THEREFOR

摘要

Pressure vessels having end closures for sealing at least one open end are constructed so as to provide full-bore access to a generally tubular shell portion wherein one or more filter cartridges will be disposed . A sealing ring (45) of rectangular cross section is seated in a groove provided in the tubular shell (15) at a location axially inward of a cylindrical surface region wherein a central annular groove is provided. A closure head (39) fits within this annular surface and includes a shoulder (73) which prevents insertion past the sealing ring (45). The head may be a 2-piece construction wherein a flanged and dished element having an inward facing convex surface of oblate spheroidal shape protrudes through the interior of the sealing ring and mate s with a securing plate (41) having an annular notch in the periphery of its outer face that aligns with the groove in the tubular shell to create a pocket designed to receive a helical locking ring (79) in the form of a spring-like band of at least two revolutions that cannot be inadvertently removed when the vessel is pressurized. A bell-end configuration for the tubular shell is efficiently created from filament- reinforced polymeric resin through the use of a sacrificial insert that not only creates the seat for the sealing ring but also provides space to accommodate side flow fluid connections.